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The 21st session of Jewellery Arabia has lost none of its glitz, charm or pulling power as thousands flocked to the five-day Middle East Jewellery and Watch Exhibition in Bahrain.
Clear evidence was the fact that it took up to an hour to get into the car park of the expo, which showcased more than 550 local and international exhibitors from 30 countries.
Held at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre (BIECC) jewellery-lovers ran down the red carpet in true high fashion-style to check out the latest offerings from the fashion and gem industries.
Jewellery designer Mariam Al Zain didn’t miss a day of the show. Coming from a family of jewellers, it’s not surprising that she had more than a passing interest.
Mariam, 26, from Al Jasra, said: “I have visited Jewellery Arabia every day since it opened. It’s an important event for Bahrain and is well known across the Middle East. I was anxiously awaiting this year’s event and it didn’t disappoint.
“I don’t necessarily need to buy everything I try on, but there’s no harm in pretending for a couple minutes that a BD4,000 bracelet belongs to you! You can’t put a price on making someone feel special.
“I honestly think jewellery can change a whole outfit as well as enhance your personality and individuality. I’m already waiting for next year’s exhibition!”
The range of jewellery was impressive. On one stall, straight from Jaipur, India, was Rashmikant Soni, AKA Sheru.
Emerald-expert Sheru was visiting Bahrain for the second time to be part of the exhibition. The 44-year-old took every opportunity to allow passer-bys to try on his over-sized accessories from Sheru Gems and, in one instance, was spotted persuading 23-year-old Suma Alalaiwat to purchase a $20,000 (BD7.501) emerald green traditional necklace made from stones that he had personally picked in Zambia.
He explained that the necklace was on the ‘hot list’ in India and a bargain at the price.
Suma, from Karbabad, said: “Personally, I’m window-shopping. It’s a shame the event is so short otherwise I could have dragged my dad here to buy me a very early birthday present.”
In another section, supporting local jewellers was first-timer Danya Samir, who was looking for the right deal. Danya, 22, from Seef said: “I think it’s very important to support local jewellers. Most people go for the big names that have the same thing at double the price.
“I’ve never come to Jewellery Arabia before so when I got out of bed this morning I forced my friends to come with me.
“I had my eye on a bracelet I spotted a couple of weeks ago and I didn’t know it was going to be on show here. The price went down from BD5,370 in store, to BD3,000 at the exhibition, so I bought it before the salesman changed his mind. I can now use the difference to find a pair of earrings to match.”
Female logic in action!
However, it wasn’t just girl’s being acquainted with their new best friends. Yousif Zainal, a recently married engineer was on a secret spree to buy his wife, Mariam, a necklace to mark the first day he met her.
Romantic Yousif, 29, from Riffa said: “I don’t really know much about jewellery, but the staff members here have been so helpful. Mariam loves a bracelet she bought from Hong Kong and fortunately there is a whole section of distributors from that area so I hope I’ll find something to compliment it.”
In the fitting words of Mariam Al Zain, there was definitely no price when it came to making people feel special. The smiles plastered across the faces of visitors to Jewellery Arabia 2012 proved testament to that.
